A. Lukashenko: with increasing investments in Belarusian sports, it does not bring the corresponding return

April 9, Minsk / Tatyana Polozhay - BELTA /. Despite increasing investments in Belarusian sports, it does not bring the corresponding return. This was stated by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, speaking today at the Olympic Assembly, according to a BELTA correspondent. "I will say frankly: I am concerned that with such attention to sports in the country, with increasing financial investments in this sector, sometimes even at the expense of others, we are not getting the corresponding return," the head of state said. "And yet, every budget ruble that we invest in sports, especially in the current conditions, is not easily obtained. And it must work for the image of the country, for the victories of our athletes to make Belarus more known and authoritative in the world, to ultimately lift the spirit of our people, to unite the nation with a sense of pride when the Belarusian anthem is played and our flag is raised at international competitions," Alexander Lukashenko believes. For the past 16 years, Belarus has consistently ranked among the top 20 strongest nations at the Winter and Summer Olympics. However, the President believes that this is not enough: "There is no progress, we cannot get into the top ten. And what was good yesterday cannot satisfy us today." As an example of growing success in big sports, Alexander Lukashenko cited China, which has achieved significant results in just a few years. "I perfectly understand that with each year, competition in world sports becomes stronger, winning medals becomes more difficult. It turns out that our competitors are developing, and we are standing still. In some sports, we have shamefully lost our leadership positions. This includes, in particular, speed skating and cross-country skiing," the head of state noted. He stressed that it is not about medals and places. Many Belarusian athletes lack the zeal for victory, the desire to defend the honor of the country and prove the capabilities of Belarusian sports. The President recalled the performance of Belarusian hockey players at the Vancouver Olympics, where, in his opinion, the team lacked its own playing style and did not show the necessary fighting qualities. "The time has come to be held accountable for the results, for the funds spent, for the dashed hopes of the fans," the Belarusian leader emphasized. Alexander Lukashenko noted that in recent years, the Olympic movement in the country has been developing dynamically, sports are given great importance in society and the state, and favorable conditions are being created both in the capital and in the regions. In addition, the practice of the NOC's work has been recommended by the International Olympic Committee for implementation in other countries, which indicates certain successes of Belarus. At the Olympic Assembly, in addition to considering organizational issues, the results of the performance of Belarusian athletes at the recent Summer and Winter Olympics will be summarized, tasks will be set to ensure successful performance at the XXX Summer Olympic Games in London, and the effectiveness of the organizations on which the results of athletes' performances at the Olympics depend will be comprehensively analyzed. Special attention will be paid to the issues of training sports reserves. "We must decide how we will correct the negative situation in those summer and winter Olympic sports whose representatives performed unsatisfactorily at the Olympic Games. What needs to be done to significantly surpass the results achieved in Beijing and Vancouver in London and Sochi," the President addressed the participants of the assembly. He also added that he expects that today's discussion and analysis of the situation in Belarusian sports will be the beginning of an effective solution to all existing problems. -0-